Couple arrested after drugs found at home with infant and 3-year-old son

A Singaporean man who fled the country more than two decades ago to evade a jail sentence was apprehended at Changi Airport after attempting to return under a false identity. Tan Khi Wie, 58, was sentenced on Tuesday (August 11) to 14 months and three weeks in prison following his conviction on six charges under the Immigration Act and Penal Code. Another 16 charges under the Immigration Act were considered during sentencing. The arrest occurred on March 7, 2026, when Tan tried to clear immigration at Changi Airport using an Indonesian passport bearing the name "Ken Srona." Automated immigration lanes flagged inconsistencies, leading to further checks that confirmed his true identity and revealed he was a fugitive wanted by the police. He was subsequently detained and transferred to the police. Tan had originally been convicted of cheating in August 2002 and received an 18-month jail sentence. He had defrauded the then-Singapore Productivity and Standards Board into disbursing a S$195,800 grant under the Local Enterprise Technical Assistance Scheme. Following his conviction, Tan filed an appeal against his sentence but fled Singapore to avoid serving his jail term. Investigations indicated that he left the country illegally aboard a fishing boat between August 2002 and January 2003. His journey took him first to Pasir Gudang in Johor, Malaysia, then to Thailand, and finally to Jakarta, Indonesia, where he settled. He failed to appear at a court hearing for his appeal on January 21, 2003, prompting the issuance of a warrant for his arrest on February 20 of that year. Despite being a fugitive, Tan managed to return to Singapore multiple times between 2011 and 2016. During these visits, he used Indonesian passports under the false identity "Ken Srona" to enter and exit the country. In his disembarkation forms, he falsely claimed he had never used a passport under a different name to enter Singapore. These actions led to additional charges, including failing to present a valid passport, making false statements in arrival cards, producing a false passport, and failing to attend court. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) stated that it has enhanced its immigration processes using biometrics and data analytics. Since July 2020, multi-modal biometric systems have been implemented at all checkpoints, incorporating iris and facial recognition technology. This advancement allows for more accurate verification of travelers' identities and strengthens border security. ICA emphasized that it would take strict measures against anyone attempting to enter or leave Singapore using an impersonated identity or one different from that used in prior visits to bypass immigration checks. In February 2026, ICA reported that nearly 245 million travelers passed through Singapore's checkpoints in 2025, exceeding the previous year's total of 230 million. During that period, 223 cases involving travelers using multiple identities were detected, slightly down from 233 cases recorded in 2024. ICA noted that such individuals might have previously committed offenses in Singapore and are prohibited from re-entry. As part of future enhancements, ICA plans to trial a self-service system in the second half of 2026 that employs AI-driven fingerprint analysis for registering biometrics among new citizens, permanent residents, and long-term immigration pass holders. Additionally, an AI-based anomaly detection program will be introduced to identify irregularities in submitted documents. Separately, a different incident saw a Singaporean couple arrested on August 11, 2026, after the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) discovered drugs and paraphernalia in their home in Marsiling. The 25-year-old man and 24-year-old woman were taken into custody after officers raided their residence in the early hours of the day. Seized items included cannabis, methamphetamine, and ecstasy, along with drug paraphernalia found in the master bedroom where their two young sons, aged three and seven months, were present. The children were placed under the care of their next-of-kin, ensuring their welfare. CNB highlighted the serious consequences of drug exposure on children and reiterated its commitment to enforcing strict measures against those who put minors at risk. Individuals aged 21 and older who expose children to controlled substances or allow them access to drug paraphernalia may face legal repercussions. Meanwhile, another incident involved a 32-year-old Singaporean man and a 33-year-old woman who were rescued by Malaysian authorities after an alleged kidnapping. Both individuals tested positive for drugs and lacked valid travel documents. The man is believed to have knowledge of one of the kidnappers, according to the Singapore Police Force. The couple's families contacted local police upon growing concerns for their safety. Authorities praised the swift response of Malaysian law enforcement in securing the safe return of the pair. This marked the second such rescue within a week, with the previous case involving a 72-year-old man who was freed in Kedah on August 7.